unable to install updates error code 604

Question

I have not used my laptop for a couple of months as I have moved to Thailand.There are a whole load of updates but they are failing to update the error code is 604.Tried to get help from microsoft but the system will not recognise the 20 digit computer ID so they are trying to charge me £45.00 I would also like to find out why they are rejecting my ID but I cannot contact them!!! They do not make it easy for their customers!!!!!!

Answer 1

Hi Finzean,

 Welcome to Microsoft Vista answers Forums!

 I would like to know few details about the issue that you’ve posted.

• Did you check the activation status of your Operating system? Does it show “Windows is activated”?

• Did you try to boot the computer in safe mode?

• Also mention the updates that you are trying to install?

Meanwhile, try the following steps:-

Step1: If you figure out that Windows needs to be activated, go ahead and activate it.

Note: Make sure that your internet connection is working fine.

• Click on start à Right click on Computer and click on Properties.
• Under Windows activation à Click on Change product key and type in the product key which will be basically on the back side of the computer?

If you’re able to activate Windows, you should get a message “Activation was successful”.

Step2:

You can go ahead and perform clean boot and check for the application which is causing this issue using the following link:-

 How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note:- ****After this please, Reset the computer to start as usual

After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

1. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

          If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

1. On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.
2. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

 You can now go ahead and uninstall the application which was causing this issue.

****Note: Unplug your external devices before you restart the computer in the normal mode.

Step3:  Try executing these commands in the command prompt when you’re at the desktop in the normal mode.

ClStart à All Programs à Accessories à Right click on Command Prompt and Run as administrator.

   a. C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\services.msc

   b. You'll get the services window. Stop the following services by right clicking on the service and  

       click on stop.

      1. Background Intelligent Transfer Service.

      2. Cryptographic Service.

      3. Windows Update Service.

   c. Once you have stopped these services, please go back to the command prompt.

      C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ren catroot2 catroot2.old

Note: While renaming Catroot2, if you get a message “Access is denied”, go back to the Services Window and stop the Cryptographic Service again and then rename it.

       C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\cd..

       C:\WINDOWS\ren softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.old

   d. Once you’ve successfully renamed both the folders, close both the Windows.

Step4: Perform Windows Updates

1. Click on Start à All Programs àabove Accessories, click on Windows Update.
2. On the left panel of Windows Update Window, please click on Check for Updates.

If any of the steps mentioned above didn't work, please perform system restore.

 Check out this link which talks about how to perform system restore.

 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212

Go ahead and install updates once the updates are offered.

Hope this information is helpful.

Let me know if this worked.

Regards,

Divya R - Microsoft Support

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